Photos: 8 killed in 22-car pileup in Utah during sandstorm

KANOSH, Utah (NewsNation Now) — Eight people, including four children, were killed in a 22-vehicle pileup during a sandstorm Sunday, Utah Highway Patrol said.

The crashes happened on Interstate 15 near the Central Utah town of Kanosh, according to a news release.

Authorities said 10 people were taken to hospitals with injuries from the crashes with both ground and air ambulances were used to transport victims. As of Monday, at least three of those patients are in critical condition.

Monday afternoon, Utah Highway Patrol released the identities of those involved.

Race Sawyer, 37, and his 12-year-old son died after riding in a Buick. Sawyer’s sister-in-law, Kortni Sawyer, 30, also died in that vehicle. There was also a 6- and 2-year-old who died in the vehicle. UHP did not say how those children were related to the others in the car.

Richard Lorenzon, 51, and his passenger, Maricela Lorenzon, 47, died in a Hyundai Richard was driving. A passenger in a Cadillac, a 15-year-old girl from Yuma, Arizona, was also killed.

The pileup occurred during a period of high winds that caused a dust or sandstorm which reduced visibility, UHP said.

“A semi came in at a low speed and then rear-ended another vehicle and then, after that, there were three significant impacts that caused the fatalities and these severe injuries,” Sgt. Cameron Roden said. “Multiple crashes after that, but the significant ones were the ones that happened after the semi that hit the [truck].”

Two vehicles became wedged underneath the back of the semi’s trailer, UHP said.

NewsNation spoke with Sgt. Roden Monday evening. See the interview in the player below.

Kenosh is about 160 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox released a statement Sunday night saying, “We’re stunned and saddened by the horrific accidents in Millard County. We fervently pray for the loved ones of those who perished and for those fighting for their lives.”

This photo provided by the Utah Highway Patrol and posted on the Utah Department of Public Safety website shows several of the vehicles involved in a fatal pileup, Sunday, July 25, 2021, on Interstate 15 in Millard County, near the town of Kanosh, Utah. (Utah Highway Patrol via AP)
This photo provided by the Utah Highway Patrol and posted on the Utah Department of Public Safety website shows the scene of a fatal pileup, Sunday, July 25, 2021, on Interstate 15 in Millard County, near the town of Kanosh, Utah. (Utah Highway Patrol via AP)
Photo credit: Utah Highway Patrol
Photo credit: Utah Highway Patrol
Photo credit: Utah Highway Patrol
Photo credit: Utah Highway Patrol